Westport Pilates East is proud of our certified, experienced Pilates instructors. Take a moment to meet them…
Cait Lyddy
Owner
Cait was first introduced to Pilates in 1991 as a classically trained dancer in NYC. The transformation in her body and in the way she danced was profound.
After 10 years of practicing Pilates and 15 yrs of dancing professionally, Cait received her Comprehensive training at the Kane School of Core Integration. Kelly Kane’s program provided her with a wealth of anatomical knowledge and deep understanding of biomechanics. With a few years of teaching behind her, Cait began to see the deeper results of classical Pilates and retrained in the style of Romana’s Pilates.
She continues to deepen her own practice of classical Pilates under the tutelage of Marcelo Tapia. Daily workouts and constant delving deeper into Romana’s Pilates and Joseph Pilates’ original work keep her inspired and growing.
Cait has studied with Kathy Grant, Bob Liekens, Mejo Wiggins, and Simona Cipriani among others.
Cait brings energy, passion and a keen eye to each and every session and thrives on working with all populations.
Marcelo Tapia
Master Instructor
Marcelo Tapia began his career as a professional dancer with some of the most prestigious companies in South America, Europe and Asia. He began studying Pilates in 1994 and was certified to teach through Romana’s Pilates, studying extensively with the famous Romana Kryzanowska and her daughter Sari.
After years of teaching throughout Europe, South America and the United States, Marcelo spent 3 years accompanying the Cirque du Soleil performers as their Pilates instructor during their tours. He then landed back I the tri- state area where he is known as a teacher of teachers.
He has taught all body types and Pilates instructors over the years and is dedicated to keeping the work pure and authentic. With a degree in Physical Education, Marcelo has a deep understanding of anatomy and physiology which he uses along with his superior Pilates training to guide his clients to a much stronger and healthier body.
By daily reviewing and executing the work of Joseph Pilates as taught to Romana, as taught to him, Marcelo is an embodiment of the Pilates Method. He inspires his clients as well as instructors to keep their workouts challenging and to never stop learning.
Dana Nelson
Instructor
Dana Nelson first came to Pilates as a client in 1998 after having worked as a Photography Director at Conde Nast Publications and raising a family when she developed a passion for Pilates which then became a lifelong vocation.
After she moved to Connecticut from New York City, Dana studied with Second Generation Master Teacher Simona Cipriani, and received her certification in the instruction of the Authentic Pilates Method from the United States Pilates Association in early 2009. Since becoming certified, Dana has worked for The Art of Control at SUNY Purchase College, Fiore Pilates in Mamaroneck, Ward Pilates in Darien, and Movement Design in New Canaan.
Dana also works with senior citizens at the Meadow Ridge Senior Living Center. A firm believer in continuing education to enhance her expertise, Dana attends frequent seminars and conferences with master Pilates instructors from around the world. She works to build on her own knowledge in order to enrich the Pilates experience for her clients and help them with their individual needs and goals.
Tracy Bloom
Instructor
Tracy Bloom was introduced to Pilates by second-generation teacher MaryAnne Genuario in 2003, a student of Pilates elder Mary Bowen. After many years teaching Pilates matwork, Tracy Bloom was certified in 2010 by the United States Pilates AssociationT a licensee of the New York Pilates StudioR Teacher Certification Program, the first and oldest Pilates professional training program in the world.
She trains regularly with Master Teachers Simona Cipriani and Shari Berkowitz, both second-generation teachers certified by Joseph Pilates’ protege Romana Kryzanowska. Tracy has attended education workshops with Peter Fiasca, Brett Howard, Tracy Fiore, Kathi Ross-Nash, and Dorothee VandeWalle, and has studied privately with Marcelo Tapia, Mejo Wiggins, Danielle Armstrong, and many other wonderful instructors.
Tracy Bloom attended Columbia University and Sarah Lawrence College, and has a BS degree.
Kelly McCusker
Instructor
Kelly graduated from Ithaca College with a BS in Marketing and has been working in that field as a graphic designer for over 15 years. She began practicing Pilates in 2003, and immediately found a powerful mind-body connection that resonated with her.
After taking private lessons and mat classes for over a year, she began her teacher training with Peak Pilates, a classical program which stresses the original vision and method designed by Joseph Pilates. Kelly completed her comprehensive certification in October 2006 and has continued her study of Pilates with Kathy Corey, Kathy Grant, Lolita San Miguel, and Irene Dowd, master teacher of anatomy, kinesiology and movement in New York City.
She is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance.
Debbie Jones
Instructor
A global traveling wife and mother of 4, native to Long Island, Debbie has worked and lived throughout the US, Canada and The Netherlands before settling down in Westport Ct in 2018.
After years of weight training, she felt the need to lengthen her overworked muscles and Pilates provided just that. Discovering that the method integrated her body and mind and made her feel great, Debbie jumped on the opportunity to train with Marcelo Tapia and Cait Lyddy in their Teacher Training Program.
She loves setting goals for herself and achieving them and brings her clients along the same path!
Karen Kaminsky
Instructor
Karen Kaminsky first began practicing Pilates in 2012 by taking weekly mat classes. She was instantly drawn to both the physical challenge and the intense mental concentration of the Pilates method.
After taking time off from her work in interior design to raise her daughter, Karen was looking for a new challenge and was tremendously excited at the opportunity to deepen her knowledge of Pilates by enrolling in Westport Pilates Teacher Training Program with her instructors Marcelo Tapia and Cait Lyddy.
